Not everyone realizes how workers’ compensation can impact disability benefits. Knowing the differences between workers’ compensation and disability benefits might help when choosing which one to use. Finding out how workers’ compensation may affect disability benefit payments is also important when making this decision. Talk to a Pennsylvania disability lawyer for guidance.

Workers’ Compensation Versus Disability Benefits

Before workers’ compensation was created, many employers were sued for injuries caused at work. Now workers’ compensation can be used to cover damages caused by an injury on the job. Illnesses caused by certain jobs may also qualify affected employees for workers’ compensation.

Disability benefits are offered to those with a qualified disability who cannot work because of the disability. While disability benefits often pay significantly more than workers’ compensation, disability benefits come with stricter eligibility criteria. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) requires a sufficient work history. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) requires you to earn less than a certain level of monthly income.

Unlike disability benefits, workers’ compensation can be used to cover both short-term and long-term disabilities. Disability benefits do not cover partial disabilities, but workers’ compensation can. To qualify for disability benefits, the disability must significantly interfere with work performance and either be expected to last at least one year or lead to death.

Disability benefits programs not only require the disability to interfere with usual work performance but other types of jobs as well. If someone can start working at a different job despite having a disability, then that person may not qualify for disability benefits. Workers’ compensation has fewer eligibility criteria compared to disability benefits.

The main factor that determines eligibility for workers’ compensation is whether the employee can prove the injury occurred while on the job. This means the worker was clocked in and collecting work hours when the injury happened. Suffering an injury while driving to work may not always count.

How Workers’ Compensation Impacts Disability Benefits

The effects of workers’ compensation on disability benefits depend on the level of workers’ compensation. When workers’ compensation and SSDI disability benefits are received simultaneously, the total cannot exceed 80% of your income before you were disabled. Do not panic if this does happen.

What will happen is the Social Security Administration (SSA) will deduct the excess amount of money from your benefits. The same thing can happen if you receive a lump sum payment from workers’ compensation. This reduction of money is usually only taken from your disability benefits while your workers’ compensation payment stays the same.

If you have questions, try contacting a Pennsylvania disability lawyer to find answers. A lawyer can help you navigate these rules to explore what options you have. You may not have to settle for fewer benefits than you need.

Call Edelstein & Nelson Today

Do not panic if your disability benefits have been impacted by workers’ compensation. Feel free to ask a Pennsylvania delayed insurance benefits attorney for help if your disability benefits were denied or delayed. Start by contacting Edelstein & Nelson today at (800) 300-0909 for a consultation about your options. Our legal team is ready to help you increase your chances of receiving disability benefits.